IT happened nearly seven years ago now on February 14, 2004 in an All-Ireland semi-final, but the memory still haunts O’Loughlin Gaels’ towering centre-back Brian Hogan.

THOUGH only the middle of February, tomorrow’s meeting of O’Loughlin Gaels and Newtownshandrum, Leinster champions against Munster’s best is whetting the appetite of hurling folk just about anywhere.

BOTH Newtownshandrum and O’Loughlin Gaels have injury worries ahead of next Sunday’s AIB All-Ireland club hurling semi-final in Semple Stadium.